The Gavel Dinner 2020
Was certainly meant to be.
From the porches and decks of our homes,
We gathered virtually!
Our not meeting “for real”
May have caused some agitation,
Yet, everything went wonderfully
Thanks to Tom’s imagination!
In these times, we’re not quite sure
Of exactly what is to come,
But having a “Zoom Meeting” tonight
Turned out to be such fun!
Our creativity “peaked”
As this is how it seemed,
For many of us could be “seen”
Sporting a Hawaiian Theme!
“Welcome all!” said President Tom,
With his usual big, broad smile.
Then we stood to say The Pledge
In patriotic style.
John French got us started
In his melodic way,
We sang “God Bless America”
On this very special day.
Said Bruce M. in his Blessing,
“Father, watch over us all.”
He gave thanks for Tom and Matt,
As each of you will recall.
The Announcements were next,
And Tom added some fun.
Milo had a birthday,
And now, his pup is one!
There were 32 Members in all,
Who gathered together this eve.
And there were nine guests, counting Milo,
Whom we were glad to receive!
The Perfect Attendance Awards
Were then announced by Bo.
In years of Meeting Attendance,
This is how the list goes:
Skip, Coop, Nancy, and John F.
Were at the very start,
While Jack, Karen, Laurie, and Tom
Completed the second part!
Congratulations to each of you
For all the commitment you’ve shown.
Naples Rotary is so vibrant,
And the proof is that it has grown!
We were glad to hear next,
From Fellow Member, Mike J.
The Pulled-Pork Dinner, and Dog Parade
Were both “A-Okay”!
Even though Covid 19
Has been a bit of a “bummer”,
The Walk of Life Events
Are still planned for the Summer.
The Walk of Life Events
Can be found on the special
Website.
Many thanks to Member, Sherry
For making this just right!
The Fundraisers are sure
To put a smile on everyone’s face.
More details will follow
As things are put in place.
Jodi has assured us that
The Luminaries will continue to shine,
As Loved Ones are remembered,
Both yours and mine.
The Coronavirus made us wonder,
“Whatever shall we do?”
That’s when the Rotary Responders
Came to the rescue!
As typical Rotarians,
Trying to do some good,
The Responders shopped for people,
Getting their weekly food.
The help we gave to others
Made everyone feel a bit better,
And sincere thanks were expressed
In a Recipient’s recent letter!
The challenges we faced this past year
Truly put Our Club to the test,
But in sharing our memories tonight
We thought only of the best!
There were definitely “peaks” and “valleys”
During this Rotary year just past,
Yet, Tom’s Video of Memories
Are cherished, and they’ll last!
His Service Above Self
Seems to be without end.
President Tom has felt honored,
And therefore, he calls us “Friends”!
There were several Letters of Thanks
That Tom did also share,
His abundance of gratitude for each of us
He certainly does not spare!
The excellent programs this year
Were planned by PE Matt.
Each of them was stellar
You can be sure of that!
We’d leave each Weekly Meeting,
And each was given a “lift”.
So, we presented Matt
With a special “Thank You” Gift!
Tom added another “sweet note”
To this part of the Program as well.
He expressed his sincere thanks
To his lovely friend, Michelle.
We had anxiously awaited,
For now, it was Jamie’s turn.
The Paul Harris Fellow(s)
And Robert Allen we’d learn!
The Paul Harris Fellows
Made news that’s surely worth sharing.
President Tom and Sharon
Are two people so deserving and caring!
The Robert Allen Award
Is special to the Club of Naples.
That Award went to Our Sherry,
Who is so hard-working and able!
Congratulations from us all
To Each of You Splendid Three.
You’ve helped Rotary and Naples
To be all that they can be!
‘Twas time to Pass the Gavel
From President Tom to Matt.
Matt accepted it, with thanks,
Then presented Tom with a plaque.
Tom, you’ve carried us through
A most challenging year.
Our deepest thanks to you
From All of Us gathered here!
We eagerly look forward
To this coming New Year with Matt.
It’ll be exciting and enticing
We can be sure of that!
We’re excited to be led
By this eloquent young man,
And we were glad to listen
As he shared his “Yearly Plan”!
“Rotary Opens Opportunities”
Is this year’s theme, as you know.
Let us work in harmony with each other
To continue to make Rotary grow!
Dear Members, I hope you enjoyed this week’s bulletin format. Typically, in the past few years, it has been fun to compose a poem for the Gavel Dinner Summary. I wanted to add that the distinguished guests whom we welcomed this past Monday were as follows. We enjoyed having Sharon, wife of Jack, Linda Kohl, Janet Tenreiro, Mike Slovak, Dave Hannan, Tony Deusenbery, Rick Hawks, and Michelle join us.
Next week, it will be Matt’s first meeting as our New President for 2020-2021. We will induct Holly and Tony Deusenbery, as our newest members, to Naples Rotary! I hope everyone has a splendid Fourth of July weekend!
